Caring for our churchyards

Providing the following criteria can be met, this can be considered List A under either A1(17) or an Additional Diocesan Matters Order provided by the Chancellor. This means that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

• To be located within the churchyard or discreetly on the exterior of the church building;
• Non-ferrous fixings to be used into mortar joints wherever possible and relevant.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List A7 (6) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

• The wording on the board is not changed except for the purpose of updating existing information that is included on the board;
• in the case of replacement, the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 are complied with;
• the replacement noticeboard is not illuminated; and
• any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List B6 (4):

• A new noticeboard is not illuminated;
• The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 are complied with.

Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• The location of the board within the churchyard;
• photos of the board to be replaced/introduced;
• details of the new/replacement board such as style, size, materials, colour;
• details of the method of fixing of the new notice board – will it use existing posts or be fixed to the church building or boundary wall?;
• details of any wording and logo proposed for the new notice board.

You should also bear in mind that if the new board is significantly different in terms of size or materials, the local planning authority may require planning consent.

Benches offer a means of commemorating a particular individual whilst also providing a place to sit in contemplation and reflection. The introduction and removal of benches in a churchyard falls within List B6 (1) provided that no bench proposed to be introduced has an inscription on it which would not be permitted on a monument in the churchyard under the applicable churchyard regulations.

Please apply using the online faculty system, following the instructions in orange at the top of the application.

You will need to provide the following:

• Details of the proposed bench;
  • Link to a catalogue page;
  • Detail of the material used ie: is it FSC approved timber;
• Dimensions;
• A photograph of the proposed location showing the surrounding area;
• A plan or aerial image of the churchyard showing where the bench will be placed (aerial images may be obtained free of charge from Google maps);
• A specification for the ground fixings;
• A layout drawing of any inscription to include the actual wording, the lettering font, dimensions and the material of any plaque NB: the DAC prefer inscriptions to be cut into the bench itself;
• The PCC resolution agreeing to the installation of the bench.

What to bear in mind when choosing a bench:

• We would recommend avoiding tropical hardwoods and instead choosing a bench made of a sustainably sourced hardwood. Look for FSC approved timber;
• We recommend carving inscriptions into the rail rather than fixing a plaque. Benches are a target for thieves and are a more attractive target if the dedication plaque can be removed. Metal plaques can also react with water run-off plus some type of timber, resulting in staining of the timber;
• Is the method of fixing appropriate for the churchyard? Pouring a slab of concrete for the bench to stand on may not be appropriate in a rural churchyard

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List A7 (9) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

• Any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum;
• The local planning authority is notified of the proposal.

This work falls within List B6 (6). Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:-

• Photos of the proposed location;
• Context photo;
• Fixing details;
• Design/Product information;
• Description of work.

This work falls within List A7 (10) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

Once completed we would encourage you to register the installation on the National Defibrillator Database.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List B6 (5):

• Any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum.

Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Details of the equipment, power supply and route;
• Photo of proposed location and how it will be fixed;
• Context photo.

Once completed we would encourage you to register the installation on the National Defibrillator Database.

Please take time to read this Guidance Note on creating a Garden of Remembrance before making a faculty application using online faculty system, following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. Please ensure you upload as much information as possible to your application within the ‘supporting documents and images’ tab before submitting the application to the DAC. Information necessary varies depending on the work but is likely to include the following:

• Context photos of the whole churchyard;
• A plan of the churchyard indicating the proposed area to be designated as a GoR;
• Details of how remains are to be interred in the area (in an urn in market plots or in a general strewing area);
• If particular plots, how many will be provided, and give numbers of existing rate of interment;
• Details on how quickly any present designated area, or the churchyard, is will be full;
• A specification of work and drawings illustrating routes and materials of any new paths, details of planting schemes etc, design of any structures to be incorporated;
• Full details of how it is proposed to record commemorations – including design and wording of any new memorials to be included;
• Supportive PCC minutes.

Important information and helpful tips on applying for faculty permission are available here.

This work falls within List A7 (3) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

This work requires faculty permission. Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Detailed and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing the wiring route and location of lights;
• Description/Specification of work;
• Product information;
• Supportive PCC minute.

Please note that this work may also require Planning Permission and you will need to be in touch with your Local Planning Authority to establish whether this is the case.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List A7 (4) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

Any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List A7 (5) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

Any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List B6 (2):

• The works do not relate to any wall which is included in the Schedule maintained for the purposes of the ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or is separately listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservations Areas) Act 1990;
• Any new disturbance below ground level is kept to a minimum;

Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Quote and description of work from contractor to include product information and method of repair;
• Close up and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing location.

Providing the following criteria can be met, this work falls within List B6 (3):

• The works do not relate to any wall which is included in the Schedule maintained for the purposes of the ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or is separately listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservations Areas) Act 1990.

Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Quote and description of work from contractor to include product information and method of repair;
• Close up and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing location.

This work falls within List A7 (2) meaning that no further permission is required. Please log the work on the online faculty system.

If the church is not a listed building, this work falls within List B6 (7). If the church is a listed building you will need to apply for a faculty. Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Detailed and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing the route of the path;
• Description/Specification of work;
• Product information;
• Supportive PCC minutes.

Please bear in mind the following when considering resurfacing or creating a new path: Tarmac is usually avoided where possible;

• Gravel is not suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access. It can also be high maintenance;
• The DAC would recommend either resin bonded or resin bound solution;
• Please also consider what materials are typical in your location – ie local stone, flint, brickwork etc.

Please note that, as the appearance of the path will be changing, the work may also require Planning Permission and you will need to be in touch with your Local Planning Authority to establish whether this is the case.

This work falls within List B6 (8). Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:

• Detailed and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing the location;
• Description/Specification of work;
• Product information.

Provided the following conditions can be met this work falls within List B6 (9):

• A plan showing the proposed route of the trench is submitted to the archdeacon when the archdeacon is consulted on the proposal to undertake the matter and the archdeacon approves the route proposed;
• No cables exceed low voltage (as defined by the regulations on electrical wiring published by the British Standards Institution);
• Where the trench is underneath land used for the passage of vehicles (whether or not a public right of way), the depth of the trench is 600 millimetres;
• Where the trench is underneath a footpath (whether or not a public right of way), the depth of the trench is 450 millimetres;
• Where the trench is underneath a footpath (whether or not a public right of way), the depth of the trench is 450 millimetres;
• If articulated human remains are discovered in the carrying out of the work, the work ceases, the discovery is reported to the court and the work does not resume until the court so orders.

Please apply using the online faculty system following the instructions in orange at the top of the application. You will need to provide the following information:-

• Detailed and context photos;
• Plan of the churchyard showing the route;
• Description of work/method statement.